Glory boys just “champing at the bit”

With only nine days remaining until Perth Glory FC launches its 20th anniversary season, winger Chris Harold is confident of a successful and positive year.

After a three month pre-season campaign, the 24-year old aspiring lawyer said the team was ready and raring to go for Round One against the Central Coast Mariners.

“The long pre-season is something we can’t control but once you’ve done that many training sessions without too many games you’re kind of champing at the bit to get going” he said.

“Especially playing our first game at home makes it’s even more exciting” he added.

“The last home game against Melbourne City (15/16 campaign) had something like 15-thousand fans and the atmosphere was unbelievable and I think if we can get off to a good start and get fans coming in like that every week, it’s unbelievable playing on Saturday night at nib” the he said.

Harold is one of 14 WA born or raised players in the current line-up. Coach Kenny Lowe has brought back fringe Socceroos Adam Taggart, Rhys Williams and Shane Lowry coupled with the addition of the imposing presence of midfielder Rostyn Griffiths and the brilliant trickery of Johnny Warren medallist Diego Castro.

Harold admits it’s a strong squad, all players will be keen to impress the coaches.

“Having competition for places only pushes you to work harder and do better, but you know, we have a really good squad and playing with good players around you only helps on a personal level so I’m really looking forward to it”.

After breaking an Hyundai A-League record for the most consecutive number of goals, Irish Striker Andy Keogh is also growing out of patience and ready to hit the ground running.

“It’s been a long wait, we’ve been working hard. The lads are really looking forward to next week.”

“I thought last season in the last 13 we were pretty attacking, I think we were probably one of the top scorers in the last 13 games so I think it’s business as usual for us in terms of attacking.”

Glory hosts the Mariners at nib Stadium at 7pm on October 8.

The match will mark the start of the club’s 20th anniversary commemorations and will pay tribute to the original 96 squad and administrators (more details to come).

The team will also wear its new Heritage Jersey which has been modelled on the original strip of the 1996 season.